BY CLARE MARIE CELANO
Staff Writer
Teress DiMeo-Mesce and her brother, Bix DiMeo, are two-thirds of the management team from D&M Property Management that has assumed responsibility for the Rug Mill Towers apartments in Freehold Borough. DiMeo-Mesce’s husband, Ralph, is the third member of the group that has addressed several issues at the residential development on Jackson Street. FREEHOLD — The new management team at the Rug Mill Towers apartment complex on Jackson Street has one thing in mind — taking care of business.
Representatives of D&M Property Manage-ment took over responsibility for the building in August 2004. Now, Teress DiMeo-Mesce, Bix DiMeo and Ralph Mesce are working to change the image and reputation of the apartment complex, which DiMeo said was “bad.”
It’s a full-time job for DiMeo-Mesce, her husband, Ralph, and her brother, Bix. They like to think of the operation as a family-run enterprise. They also include their staff in that family. The office staff includes Mary Ann Mulligan, office manager; Donna Suppa, tax credit certification expert; and Stephen Naylor, who operates the technical end of the business with his computer work. Also on staff is Bob Hannah, who works as the on-site superintendent of the 200-unit complex. The towers include 98 units for senior citizens and 102 units for families.
The management team has concentrated on addressing issues such as leaky windows, inconsistent heating, parking and security that had been ongoing problems at the complex over the last few years.
DiMeo said the new management team was aware of the problems at the complex when it came on board.
“Instead of placating the residents by telling them what we would do, we told them we would fix what we could, and we explained that there were certain things we had no control over, such as parking,” DiMeo said.
He noted that parking at the complex is sometimes difficult for seniors because the parking lot is off to the side and involves walking a bit of a distance. He said there is nothing that can be done to change that situation.
The first item on the list of things to do was the heating system, according to DiMeo.
“There were residents who complained
of having no heat and others who complained that they had too much heat,” he said.
The lack of heat in some units got immediate attention. DiMeo explained that the heating system had to be dissected in order to correct the various problems. Work involved dealing with pipes, roofing and the electrical system. He said 75 percent of the concerns over the lack of heat have been addressed.
The apartments that had too much heat were next. There are state guidelines that must be followed, according to DiMeo, in order to strike a “happy medium” in heating what he called “zone heated” apartments. He described this as 10 or 12 apartments all under the same heating control.
“Many of these residents owned their own homes before they came here,” DiMeo said. “They are accustomed to controlling their own services. Not being able to control their services is very difficult for them.”
The windows came under scrutiny next. According to DiMeo, residents were asked to report any leaky windows and the windows were caulked by September 2004. Once again, the management team is asking residents to report any problems they may be having with leaky windows.
“We’re a hands-on management operation,” DiMeo said. “One of us is here every day, in addition to our office staff. We interact with our residents on a personal level, not just on a business level.”
Security issues have also been addressed. A security guard is on duty from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. during the week and from 5 p.m. Friday around the clock until Sunday morning.
The group brings years of experience in management to the Rug Mill Towers. DiMeo has had years of experience managing Showplace Farms in Millstone Township, DiMeo-Mesce has managed apartment buildings in north New Jersey for more than 15 years, and her husband, Ralph, has worked in real estate for 25 years.
The team underwent special training in order to be certified by the state to work in the Rug Mill Towers. According to DiMeo, apartments are inspected by the state annually. Any problems found must be reinspected again within six months.
The management team has added special services for residents in the senior citizens building. A podiatrist, a dentist and a chiropractor make regular visits to residents. A nurse visits the building and gives classes and does health screenings for the residents.
A Rug Mill Towers monthly newsletter that informs residents of policies, special events and important reminders has been created. The team is also running a Rug Mill Towers beautification project to encourage more interaction between management and residents.
DiMeo-Mesce said she believes the management team and the building staff have addressed the “human element” in their treatment of residents.
The management team is currently taking applications for one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments on the family side of the towers and one-bedroom apartments on the senior side. There is immediate occupancy available on the senior side for income-qualified applicants. For further information, call the Rug Mill Towers at (732) 294-1483.